Event Description

Cardiac care and cardiomyopathy remain major areas of interest and concern for all people with Duchenne. Cardiac care changes throughout the life span of Duchenne. Because the heart is a muscle too, it is affected by a lack of dystrophin just as are the skeletal muscles. And, just as there are variations in onset of skeletal muscle difficulties, there are variations in the onset of cardiac muscle difficulties. Eventually, however, nearly 100% of all boys develop dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

Join us for part three of our cardiac webinar series:

The use of Ventricular Assist Devices in Patients with Duchenne

Thursday, January 24, 1:00 – 2:00 EST

Dr. Jake Jaquiss - Duke University

Dr. David Morales - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Dr. Patrick McConnell – Nationwide Children's Hospital

Dr. Pirooz Eghtesady – St. Louis Children's Hospital

Topics:

When might a VAD be considered

What is a VAD/LVAD

Types of VAD's

Challenges of choosing a device

Patient selection – who might be considered a "good candidate"

Post-VAD life

Pros/cons of VAD implantation

Lessons learned from the first 3 implants in patients with Duchenne; unique issues around recovery